First dates are exciting but can also be just a little bit daunting. You don’t know if they will match your vibe or whether they will find your carefully put together ‘OOTD’ as enchanting as you did! While you might have gotten along famously during those late-night talks, meeting someone IRL is a different ball game altogether.
Mastering the art of dating might not be rocket science, but it’s definitely not easy considering how the last two years have been. So, those tiny jitters and butterflies in your tummy are totally normal. While you can’t predict how the first date is going to go, you can definitely do your best to charm your date even before you meet them, so the first date is nothing short of fireworks!
Make a profile which hits different
provided you have a detailed and fleshed out bio. Tell them what you like and dislike and feel free to add your favorite music to your profile (cus – duh – music can be an amazing way to bond). Give them a sneak peek of your vibe and personality by adding your interests. But there are so many to choose from, so where do you start? Delve deep and be honest; what are you truly passionate about? There’s one thing that works really well when it comes to dating, and that’s being your authentic self.
Let Your Real Self Shine
You start speaking with someone you matched with, and it’s going well, but you’re not fully convinced because you aren’t sure if they are really who they claim to be. Don’t fret yet. Dating apps such as Tinder have many features that can go a long way in making people feel safe and comfortable. For example, the photo verification feature that leads to a is one way that can make your profile seem more authentic. Be sure to make your profile look legit but avoid adding any personal information like your phone number, address or more! The entire idea of the bio is to seem interesting to talk to, so focus on who you are and what makes you amazing.
Open with a bang, not with a whimper
Coming up with an opening line with a potential date can sometimes be pretty intimidating, as nothing kills a conversation like “Musta?”
Take a cue from their bio, look at their pictures to decode their vibe. Just sayin’, maybe use “Judging from your pictures, it looks like you’ve been everywhere. What’s your favorite city and country?” for an always-on-the-go wanderlust, or maybe a “What’s the last show you binged? I just finished “Stranger Things” and am actively taking reccos.” (cz an icebreaker about one’s fav show is hands-down an all-time hit – no cap!) Food, fashion, and music can be some potentially intriguing ice breakers, as your dates can turn out to be fellow foodies, sneakerheads or music lovers!
URL before you go IRL
The face-to-face video calling feature on Tinder can be a godsend, as speaking over a video call can potentially give you a clearer idea of who your match is. It will also help your date and you in spotting any potential 
or better, ones! It also allows for a more intimate conversation than just messaging each other back-and-forth. The best part? The video feature on Tinder can only be enabled once both people in a conversation mutually agree to the video call, so it’s absolutely in your control, and there is no way you will get unsolicited video calls. This also makes sure you talk to one another, when both of you are actually ready to!
Go the extra mile
So, your virtual date was a success! Now, what’s step 2?
Finding the perfect first date spot can be a bit tricky. However, what you need to keep in mind is that the place should be public, easily accessible, well lit (cus dim spaces can be intimidating) and close to your and your date’s location. So, find a middle-ground (quite literally!) and see what works for the both of you.
Also, no need to suggest places that break the bank! If you and your date have a taste for something unique for your IRL meet, then go for an exploratory bazaar trip, a street-food adventure, or a walk through the metro’s urban jungles. Today’s breed of young adult Pinoy daters are into simple dates–so there’s absolutely no pressure to do something fancy!
Bring in the main character vibes
Goes without saying, this is super important. There’s nothing sexier than someone who’s upfront, honest and unapologetic about their boundaries and principles. Dating and daters have become fluid in terms of expectations (let’s see where it goes 
), emotions (honest and authentic), experiences (even if its a 
date first) and the new #essential (Yas!) is personal boundaries. According to Tinder’s Future of Dating report, during the pandemic the usage of the term ‘consent’ rose 11% and ‘Boundaries’ is being used more than ever (up by 19%)! So have an unfiltered conversation with your match about what you like, what you do not like and set clear boundaries, which will not only make it a comfortable experience for you, but for them as well!
